Sealing wrapper for food products, corresponding process and installation

ABSTRACT

A sealed wrapping for foodstuffs such as chocolates, sweets, pralines and the like. The wrapping comprises a single sheet of wrapping material forming a bent part for receiving the product. The wrapping is sealed by means of a single welding line which extends according to a path having the ends located on the bent part and which surrounds the product.

[0001] The present invention relates to sealed wrappers (so-called“hermetic” wrappers) for foodstuffs, such as for example confectioneryproducts.

[0002] In the packaging of foodstuffs, it is necessary to take intoaccount different requirements, first of all the need to ensure that theproduct will remain unaltered for as long a period as possible afterpackaging.

[0003] In order to achieve the above purpose, for some time there hasbeen known, also for foodstuffs of small format (such as chocolates,sweets, pralines, etc.), wrapping of the products in sealed wrappers ofthe type commonly referred to as “flow-pack”. This technique of wrappingenvisages starting from a reel of sheet material, which is wrappedaround the product in the longitudinal direction by a forming device soas to form a continuous tubular intermediate piece of wrapping closed bya first longitudinal sealing line. The products to be wrapped advance inthe tubular intermediate piece, and the ensemble thus obtained issubjected to the action of one or more closing stations. Here, thetubular intermediate piece is flattened, welded and cut in the areas ofseparation between successive products so as to give rise to individualwrappers. An example of this technique is described in the documentEP-A-0 957 043.

[0004] Even if considerations of a functional nature (linked, forexample, to the fact that the regions where the transverse end welds ofthe flow-pack wrapping overlap the longitudinal welding or sealing linemay constitute areas that are critical for the purposes of the seal) areleft aside, the flow-pack wrapping appears unquestionably as a result ofan industrial process. This wrapping thus proves far from suitable foruse in the case of products (such as certain confectionery products) towhich it is intended to associate a wrapping of a more traditional type,such as traditional wrapping for sweets, with the product contained in awrapping which has one or both of its ends twisted to form fantails(fantail twist-wrapping).

[0005] For this reason, there have already been proposed in the knownart solutions that aim at reproducing said more traditional forms ofwrapping.

[0006] A solution of this type is described, for example, in thedocument WO-A-02/22445: individual lengths of an intermediate piece of aflow-pack wrapping type, wrapped around the product so as to form atubular structure, undergo squeezing in a radial direction so as to formareas of crinkling to some extent reminiscent of the fantailtwist-wrapped ends of a wrapping for sweets of a traditional type.

[0007] The main drawback of this type of wrapping lies in the fact thatthe action of sealing with respect to the external environment should becarried out precisely in the areas subjected to radial compression.Tests show, however, that, even resorting to a wrapping material thatcan undergo at least partial melting in the areas subjected to radialcompression, the degree of effective sealing with respect to theexternal environment is rather modest. This fact is altogetherunderstandable, given that, in the aforesaid areas, the wrappingmaterial subjected to compression in a radial direction tends to formcreases in a way that is altogether uncontrolled. As a result, creasesor ridges are formed having a pattern that is altogether random, betweenwhich there may easily remain open, or may open up after a short periodtime, paths of communication with the external environment.

[0008] Solutions that enable an excellent degree of sealing to beobtained with respect to the external environment are described in thedocuments EP-A-0 591 742 and EP-A-0 790 184. In both cases, they are,however, solutions in which a wrapping comprising two elements of sheetmaterial is used.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wrappingcapable of combining, with extreme structural simplicity, andconsequently with extreme simplicity and economy of fabrication,excellent sealing qualities (hermetic sealing).

[0010] According to the present invention, the above purpose is achievedthanks to a wrapping having the characteristics referred to in theensuing claims. The invention also regards the corresponding process offabrication, as well as the corresponding plant.

[0011] Basically, the solution according to the invention ischaracterized in that it gives rise to a wrapping that comprises asingle sheet element closed by a single welding or sealing line.

[0012] For the above purpose, there is provided a sealed wrapping forfoodstuffs, which comprises:

[0013] a wrapping sheet with a bent part or hollow, which receives atleast one foodstuff product; and

[0014] a sealing line which extends so as to close said wrapping sheetalong a path that surrounds said at least one foodstuff product and hasthe ends located in a position corresponding to said bent part.

[0015] Evidently, the term “wrapping sheet” is here understood toindicate any sheet material capable of isolating the product in aneffective way from the external environment.

[0016] Once again, the term path which “surrounds” the foodstuff productis here understood to indicate a path which extends around the product(a path preferably having a generally arched, i.e., C-shaped pattern),usually privileging quite a tight relationship of wrapping, thusguaranteeing a wrapping of the product that is as adherent as possible,this being a result that can be favoured by possible actions ofsmoothing, brushing or other operations.

[0017] The invention will now be described, purely by way ofnon-limiting example, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0018] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate successive steps of a process designed toprovide a wrapping according to the invention; and

[0019]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the corresponding plant.

[0020] The exemplary embodiment illustrated in what follows relates tothe production of a wrapping for a foodstuff product 1 consisting, forexample, of a confectionery product, such as a chocolate, a sweet, apraline, etc. of various shapes.

[0021] In particular, this may be a product provided with a coating,such as for example a coating of ground hazelnuts, grated coconut,grated meringues, etc.

[0022] In any case, neither the dimensions, nor the shape, nor again thenature and/or specific characteristics of the product (single orcomposite) constitute an element of limitation of the present invention.

[0023] The product 1 is designed to be wrapped in a wrapping constitutedby a single sheet element 2 of a laminar wrapping material of the typewidely used for the wrapping of confectionery products.

[0024] This is consequently a sheet material capable of isolating theproduct effectively from the external environment. It may be, forexample, a sheet of aluminium foil and/or plastic material. The materialin question may be a “combined” material, i.e., a material whichcomprises at least one first layer, designed to constitute the outerpart in the finished wrapping, and a second layer, designed toconstitute the inner part in the finished wrapping, and which presents,for example, characteristics of heat-sealability.

[0025] A typical example of combined material of this nature is amaterial consisting of an outer foil made of aluminium coated on theinternal surface with a plastic material, such as polyethylene.

[0026] It will be appreciated in any case that the solution describedherein is not in any way limited to a particular choice of the sheetwrapping material, nor to the adoption of particular technicalprocedures of closing/sealing of the wrapping material itself.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated herein (which, it is onceagain emphasized, is purely an example), it is assumed that the processstarts from an element of sheet material 2 having, for example, the formof a square or approximately square sheet with a side of a fewcentimetres in length.

[0028] As will emerge more clearly from what follows, the saidindividual element of wrapping may in fact be defined by a portion orlength of a continuous sheet material, which is reeled off a reel andsubjected to segmentation so as to form individual elements of wrapping.

[0029] On the element of wrapping 2 represented by FIG. 1 there is thenlaid, in an approximately central position, the product or article 1 tobe wrapped.

[0030] In the drawings, the said product is represented in the form of abody having a parallelepipedal shape; however, it will be understoodthat the product 1 may be of any shape.

[0031] In a further step of the process of formation of the wrapping,the element of sheet material 2 is wrapped around the product 1 so as toform:

[0032] a bent part 20, which in effect receives within it the product 1;and

[0033] two lateral branches 21, which extend from the bent part 20 andare laid on the opposite faces of the product 1 (top and bottom faces inthe orientation illustrated herein).

[0034] From an examination of FIG. 3, it may readily be appreciated thatthe sheet of wrapping is wrapped around the product 1 in such a way asto form a sort of pocket or envelope in which the lateral branches 21conserve a substantially plane orientation, whatever the shape of theproduct 1.

[0035] In practice, the two lateral branches 21 are substantiallyparallel to one another, separated by a distance substantiallycorresponding to the thickness or height of the product 1.

[0036] In yet a further subsequent step of the process, as isrepresented in FIG. 4, the two lateral branches 21 are connected to oneanother by a sealing line 3.

[0037] The sealing line 3 connects the two branches of the sheet ofwrapping according to a path that surrounds the foodstuff product 1. Itis therefore in general a path having an overall arched, i.e., C-shapedpattern, with the ends located in a position corresponding to the bentpart 20, the said bent part evidently already performing an action ofsealed reception of the product 1, without any need to form lines ofconnection.

[0038] In order to form the sealing line 3 it is possible to resort to awide variety of techniques extensively adopted in the packagingindustry, in particular for the packaging of foodstuffs.

[0039] Consequently, the sealing line 3 may be made—for example—by meansof hot-sealing, cold-sealing, sealing with or without weld material,ultrasound welding, laser welding or, possibly, by means of a mereaction of embossing.

[0040] As regards the path of the sealing line 3, albeit preserving thegeneral enveloping pattern in regard to the product 1, it is possible toadopt different choices.

[0041] The tests currently conducted by the present applicant indicateas preferential the choice of a path with a substantially continuousarched pattern, consequently without any cusps and/or any overlapping ofridges or creases of wrapping material (i.e., without the overlapping ofmore than two layers of wrapping material). Areas of this type couldresult, for example, from the connection of two contiguous rectilinearstretches and could lie at the basis of phenomena of concentration ofstates of coercion that might weaken the seal of the sealing line.

[0042] As further finishing operation, the wrapping presented in FIG. 4may be completed by forming one or two fantail twist-wrapped parts 4 soas to bestow on the wrapping as a whole the typical appearance of awrapping for sweets. This result may be obtained (in a known way) bysubjecting to twisting the longitudinal end or ends of the wrapping, orelse resorting to other methodologies aimed at obtaining a fantailtwist.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the possible formation of saidfantail twist-wrapped parts (which—it is once again emphasized—does notrepresent an imperative characteristic of the solution described herein)does not adversely affect the characteristics of sealing of the sealingline 3. This is, in fact, obtained by connecting the two lateralbranches 21 of the sheet wrapping material 2 whilst these are kept in acondition of substantial planarity.

[0044] The connection between the two branches 21 is therefore extremelyintimate and continuous, and consequently such as to withstand, withoutweakening, any possible subsequent deformations of the wrapping.

[0045] Now passing to an examination of the diagram of the plant of FIG.6, the reference number 10 designates a unreeling assembly from which isreeled off the sheet material that is to constitute the wrapping 2.

[0046] Starting from the unreeling device 10 (which is of a known type),the sheet material 2 is fed towards a forming assembly 12 designed tobestow on the sheet material the general U-like shape comprising thebent part 20 and the lateral branches 21 (see FIG. 3).

[0047] Also the forming device 12 may be considered in itself as anelement of a known type. It is in fact obtainable according to thecriteria widely used for making forming devices which, in packagingmachines of a flow-pack type, close the sheet material according to ageneral tubular pattern.

[0048] Whilst the tubular wrapping formed in flow-pack machines (or inthe solution described in WO-A-02/22445) is characterized typically inthat it is closed by a longitudinal sealing line and in that it has asubstantially circular cross-sectional profile, the correspondingintermediate piece obtained in the plant of FIG. 6 is instead open (seeonce again FIG. 3), in the sense that the two lateral branches 21 arenot connected to one another in a position corresponding to their distalmargins.

[0049] Once again, the intermediate piece represented by FIG. 3 presentsa general U-shaped development, with the two lateral branches 21maintained in a substantially flattened condition. As has already beensaid previously, this fact is important for achieving a continuous andintimate connection, provided by means of the sealing line 3, which liesat the base of the characteristics of sealing of the final wrapping.

[0050] Feed of the products 1 to be wrapped in the direction of the areawhere the forming device 12 operates is ensured by a conveyor 14consisting, for example, of a motor-driven belt conveyor of the typewidely used in plants for packaging foodstuffs.

[0051] The said conveyor 14 co-operates with the forming device 12 so asto cause the products 1 to be inserted in the wrapping material foldedto form a U shape at regular distances apart, thus creating a loadingstation designated as a whole by 16.

[0052] Fed, in said conditions, by a further conveyor (of which usuallythe intermediate piece of wrapping material constitutes an activeelement, since it transports with it the products 1 located therein),the products are carried into a position corresponding to a closingstation 18, which makes the sealing line 3 and segments the ribbon ofwrapping material in the areas left free by the products so as to giverise to distinct wrappers.

[0053] According to a structure in itself known, the closing station 18may be of the type with vertical reciprocating movement and thuscomprise a base or anvil part 18 a, as well as an active mobile element18 b, which moves vertically and is lowered periodically onto the anvilpart 18 a, thus creating the sealing line 3 and carrying out cutting ofthe individual wrappers. For the above purpose, the base part 18 aand/or the active element 18 b usually present surface indentations thatdefine the path of the sealing line 3. The base part 18 a and/or theactive element 18 b may have associated thereto heating elements and/orultrasound generators (not specifically illustrated but of a known type)when the sealing technology adopted involves the application of heatand/or ultrasound.

[0054] Advantageously (and also here according to criteria in themselvesknown), the closing station 18 may be built so as to carry out, inaddition to the vertical movement that leads the base part 18 a and theactive element 18 b to close against one another with the interpositionof the wrappers, also a movement of “tracking” of the advance of thewrappers. The said tracking movement causes the action of formation ofthe sealing line 3 to come about in conditions of practically norelative movement.

[0055] The fixed anvil part 18 a may present a top surface that is atleast slightly hollowed so as to ensure that the sealing line 3 (madewith the wrapping comprised between the parts 18 a and 18 b closedagainst one another) will be obtainable in conditions of perfectsymmetry.

[0056] Usually, the sealing unit 18 carries associated thereto cuttingelements (not specifically illustrated, but of a known type) aimed atcausing the continuous ribbon of sheet material 2 to be divided after orconcomitantly with the formation of the sealing line 3 so as to giverise to individual wrappers, such as the wrapping designated by C inFIG. 6.

[0057] The reference number 20 designates a shaping station, in whichone or both of the longitudinal ends of the wrapping C are subjected toa further treatment (for example twisting) so as to form the fantailparts 4 of FIG. 5.

[0058] The wrappers thus completed are gathered in a gathering station22 in view of the subsequent further packaging.

[0059] As has already been said previously, the formation of one or morefantail parts 4 constitutes an optional and non-imperative step of thesolution described herein.

[0060] It will therefore be understood that, without prejudice to theprinciple of the invention, the details of implementation and theembodiments may vary, even to a major extent, with respect to what isdescribed and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims thatfollow.

1. A sealed wrapping for foodstuffs, comprising: a wrapping sheet with abent part, which receives at least one product, and a sealing line,which extends so as to close said wrapping sheet along a path thatsurrounds said at least one product and has the ends located in aposition corresponding to said bent part.
 2. The wrapping according toclaim 1, wherein said wrapping sheet is constituted by a material thatcan undergo sealing with a technique selected in the group constitutedby: hot-sealing, cold-sealing, sealing with weld material, sealingwithout weld material, ultrasound welding, laser welding, embossing. 3.The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein, in a position correspondingto said sealing line, the wrapping is constituted by sheet materialsubjected to an operation selected in the group constituted by:hot-sealing, cold-sealing, sealing with weld material, sealing withoutweld material, ultrasound welding, laser welding, embossing.
 4. Thewrapping according to claim 1, wherein said sealing line extends along apath free from cusps.
 5. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein saidsealing line extends along a path free from areas of overlapping ofridges or creases of wrapping material.
 6. The wrapping according toclaim 1, wherein said sheet of wrapping comprises two lateral branches,which extend from said bent part on opposite sides of said at least oneproduct, said sealing line extending so that it connects said lateralbranches.
 7. The wrapping according to claim 6, wherein, at least in thearea of said sealing line, said lateral branches are substantiallyco-planar with respect to one another.
 8. The wrapping according toclaim 6, wherein, at least in a position corresponding to said sealingline, said lateral branches are substantially free from creases orridges.
 9. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein said sealing lineextends according to a general arched path.
 10. The wrapping accordingto claim 1, further comprising at least one end part having a fantailconformation.
 11. A process for the sealed wrapping of foodstuffs,comprising the operations of: forming a wrapping sheet with a bent part,setting said at least one product in said bent part, and forming asealing line, which extends so as to close said wrapping sheet along apath that surrounds said at least one product and has the ends locatedin a position corresponding to said bent part.
 12. The process accordingto claim 11, comprising the operation of making said wrapping sheet witha material sealable with a technique selected in the group constitutedby: hot-sealing, cold-sealing, sealing with weld material, sealingwithout weld material, ultrasound welding, laser welding, embossing. 13.The process according to claim 11, comprising the operation of makingsaid sealing line by means of an operation selected in the groupconstituted by: hot-sealing, cold-sealing, sealing with weld material,sealing without weld material, ultrasound welding, laser welding,embossing.
 14. The process according to claim 11, comprising theoperation of forming said sealing line along a path free from cusps. 15.The process according to claim 11, comprising the operation of formingsaid sealing line along a path free from areas of overlapping of ridgesor creases of wrapping material.
 16. The process according to claim 11,comprising the operations of: forming in said sheet of wrapping twolateral branches which extend from said bent part on opposite sides ofsaid at least one foodstuff product, and forming said sealing line sothat it connects said lateral branches.
 17. The process according toclaim 16, comprising the operation of keeping said lateral branchessubstantially co-planar with respect to one another in is the area offormation of said sealing line.
 18. The process according to claim 16,comprising the operation of keeping said lateral branches substantiallyfree from creases or ridges at least in a position corresponding to saidsealing line.
 19. The process according to claim 11, comprising theoperation of forming said sealing line according to a general archedpath.
 20. The process according to claim 11, comprising the operation offorming in said wrapping at least one end part having a fantailconformation.
 21. An arrangement for sealed wrapping of foodstuffs,comprising: a forming device for forming a wrapping sheet with a bentpart; a loading station for setting said at least one foodstuff productin said bent part; and a sealing station configured for forming asealing line, which extends so as to close said wrapping sheet along apath that surrounds said at least one foodstuff product and has the endslocated in a position corresponding to said bent part.
 22. Thearrangement according to claim 21, wherein said sealing station is astation operating according to a technique selected in the groupconstituted by: hot-sealing, cold-sealing, sealing with weld material,sealing without weld material, ultrasound welding, laser welding,embossing.
 23. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein saidsealing station is configured for forming said sealing line along a pathfree from cusps.
 24. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein saidsealing station is configured for forming said sealing line along a pathfree from areas of overlapping of ridges or creases of wrappingmaterial.
 25. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein saidforming device is configured for forming, in said sheet of wrapping, twolateral branches, which extend from said bent part on opposite sides ofsaid at least one foodstuff product, and wherein said sealing station isconfigured for forming said sealing line so that it connects saidlateral branches.
 26. The arrangement according to claim 21, whereinsaid sealing station is configured for keeping said lateral branchessubstantially co-planar with respect to one another in the area offormation of said sealing line.
 27. The arrangement according to claim21, wherein said sealing station is configured for keeping said lateralbranches substantially free from creases or ridges at least in aposition corresponding to said sealing line.
 28. The arrangementaccording to claim 21, wherein said sealing station is configured forforming said sealing line according to a general arched path.
 29. Thearrangement according to claim 21, comprising a shaping station forforming, in said wrapping, at least one end part having a fantailconformation.